The Club is dependent on a rich pool of volunteers who give up their time to provide tuition, assist at poolside or provide administrative support at pool sessions. Volunteers come along at their convenience and are not expected to attend pool sessions every week. However, whenever possible it is helpful to communicate likely availability to help with co-ordination of the Saturday sessions.
'Helper' shirts indicate those club members who perform an agreed role at either poolside or in administration.
'Swim Teacher' shirts distinguish those volunteers who have formal swim teaching qualifications that have been accepted by the committee. Committee decision will be based on Level, Issuing Body and date of qualification. Before a 'Swim Teacher' shirt can be awarded, documentary proof of qualification must be presented to the Club Secretary for formal recording at the next Committee Meeting.
Members wishing to become either a 'Helper' or a 'Swim Teacher' should approach either the Chief Instructor, the Club Secretary or the Chair to discuss the particular role that they wish to undertake.
Before a member can become a Poolside Helper or a Swim Teacher they must complete a 'Poolside Helper Induction'. Members cannot casually start assisting or instructing at poolside without first completing the induction programme.
'Helper' shirts for poolside and administration duties can only be awarded following a successful recommendation made by a Club Officer to the Turtles Committee.
Outlined below is how the club can support volunteers to progress in their poolside assistance through to formal Swim Teaching.
14+ years speak to the Chief Instructor, the Club Secretary or the Chair about becoming a poolside helper. We can organise your induction and then under the direction and supervision of a swim teacher you can begin to help.
16+ years (with at least 6 months poolside helper experience) recommendation by committee member for Level 1 Swim Teaching Assistant course.
In order to request funding from Turtles Swimming Club you will need to have completed a minimum of 6 months helping at poolside.
Funding Guidelines
Young Helpers
Turtles Swimming Club understands that each application will be beneficial for both the individual and the swimming club.
The details below indicate the policy approach to be followed regarding the financial support which can be offered by Turtles Swimming Club.
Young helpers will need to request (in writing) financial support to help fund either a level 1 Swim Teaching Assistant course or level 2 Swim Teacher course.
Requests will be considered on an individual case by case basis by the Turtles Committee at the next scheduled committee meeting.
A decision will be made whether to fund up to 33% of the cost of the course at that committee meeting and this will be shared with the young helper at the earliest opportunity.
Committee members and parents
Turtles Swimming Club understands that each application will be beneficial for both the individual and the swimming club.
The details below indicate the policy approach to be followed regarding the financial support which can be offered by Turtles Swimming Club.
Committee members and parents will need to request (in writing) financial support to help fund either a level 1 or level 2 training course.
Requests will be considered on an individual case by case basis by the Turtles Committee at the next scheduled committee meeting.
A decision will be made whether to support the funding of the course of the course and by how much at that committee meeting. This will be shared with the committee member or parent at the earliest opportunity.